A KNUTSFORD dad who tried to force his way into a takeaway kitchen where his ex-partner worked has lost an appeal to have his sentence reduced.

Daniel Chafe, of Middle Walk, also ‘bombarded’ her with ‘unpleasant messages and phone calls’ between September 20 and 24, 2022.

Tensions came to a head when she stopped their three boys going to his flat because he was taking cannabis, which he says was ‘legally prescribed’.

The 40-year-old showed up at the Chinese takeaway where she worked, and police were called when he tried to force his way past her boss into the kitchen.

He also tried to contact her 90 times, including at least 40 text messages, over the four days.

In a victim personal statement, she said the ordeal left her 'scared to leave her home' and has made her depression worse, as the incident forced her to reflect on the years she’d 'suffered' with him. 

She is full of regrets, she added, and wished she could change the past.

Chafe initially denied the offence, but changed his plea to guilty on July 10, 2023, the day his trial was due to begin.

He was sentenced on August 7 to a £200 fine, and ordered to pay £400 costs and £114 victim surcharge, deducted from his benefits at £5 per week.

Chafe lodged an appeal against both his conviction and his sentence, which was heard by a judge and two magistrates at Chester Crown Court on Friday, February 16.

The judge, recorder Eric Lamb, was confused why Chafe was appealing a conviction he’d pleaded guilty to.

Chafe, representing himself, said: “I kind of felt like I had to. I feel it was under duress. I just want to get my side of the story across.”

Recorder Lamb said there was no legal grounds before the court suggesting Chafe could ‘vacate his plea’, but he could challenge his sentence, if he wanted to.

Chafe said he did, on the basis 40 rehabilitation activity days was ‘too long’.

The judge asked Chafe whether he'd been represented by a solicitor at the lower court, to which he answered 'yes'. 

He then also asked whether Chafe felt the rehabilitation requirement was there for his benefit, to which he said ‘no’.

After a short adjournment, the court rejected Chafe’s appeal.

Recorder Lamb said: "You bombarded your former partner with unpleasant messages and phone calls.

“We find there would have been grounds for a prison sentence here, but the lower court obviously took the view rehabilitation was the foremost concern in this case.

“We find the decision of the lower court was properly tailored to the defendant’s needs and requirements.”

Prosecuting, John Oates asked the bench for £200 towards the CPS’s appeal costs, which Recorder Lamb rejected.

“Mr Chafe already faces substantial financial costs from the lower court,” he added.